Ending Human Trafficking Podcast

By: Dr. Sandra Morgan
  • Summary

  • The Global Center for Women and Justice launched the Ending Human Trafficking podcast in 2011. Our hosts are Dr. Sandie Morgan and Dr. Dave Stachowiak. Our mantra is Study the Issues. Be a voice. Make a difference. We believe that if you do not study first, you may say or do the wrong thing.
    Ending Human Trafficking
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Episodes
  • 340:  Building a Network of Trusted Community Leaders
    Mar 3 2025
    Rabbi Diana Gerson joins Dr. Sandie Morgan as the two discuss how faith-based communities can play a critical role in protecting children online and building a network of trusted community leaders. Rabbi Diana Gerson Rabbi Diana Gerson is the Associate Executive Vice President of the New York Board of Rabbis. She represents the organization at the United Nations and leads interfaith initiatives focused on child welfare, community resilience, and violence prevention. She is a member of the Child Dignity in a Digital World initiative and serves as Senior Advisor for Partnerships and External Relationships at the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities. She co-founded the Global Advocacy Hub for Children and Families and is the USA Country Coordinator for the Global Network of Religions for Children. In 2024, she was appointed to the UNHCR Multi-Religious Council of Leaders. Key Points Faith-based communities play a crucial but often overlooked role in child protection. Religious institutions, such as houses of worship and community centers, function as youth-serving organizations and must take responsibility for safeguarding children. Digital literacy is a fundamental skill for both children and adults. Many older generations struggle with technology, yet children are highly adept at navigating digital spaces, often without understanding the risks. Free apps are not truly free—when users don’t pay with money, they pay with their personal data. Parents and faith leaders must educate themselves on the risks of digital platforms and the terms and conditions that affect privacy and safety. Child protection policies in faith-based institutions should match those of public schools, including background checks, training, and accountability measures for both staff and volunteers. There is no single "safe" place for children—every organization must have observable and interruptible spaces to ensure child safety. Parents must take an active role in monitoring these environments. Online exploitation is a growing crisis, fueled by the ease of image sharing on digital platforms. Faith-based organizations must recognize their responsibility in digital safety education and safeguarding measures. Many faith-based organizations lack proper protocols for reporting abuse. Instead of conducting internal investigations first, they must follow legal reporting requirements and ensure transparency. Faith leaders can be powerful advocates for online safety and child protection by integrating these issues into sermons and community discussions. These conversations should not be relegated to separate, optional trainings but rather be normalized as part of faith-based teaching. Partnering with faith-based organizations in digital literacy efforts is essential. Trainings should start with executive-level leaders and then expand to parents, staff, and youth members. Involving trusted religious leaders in digital safety initiatives can help overcome parental resistance. When faith leaders co-facilitate trainings, parents are more likely to trust and engage with the material. Normalizing discussions about technology and online risks is as crucial as past societal shifts in addressing domestic violence, child abuse, and public health issues like cancer. Faith leaders must lead by example in these conversations. Young people must be seen as part of the solution, not just future stakeholders. Engaging them in leadership roles and advocacy efforts empowers them to protect themselves and their peers. Resources LinkedIn – Rabbi Diana Gerson Instagram – Rabbi Diana Gerson Transcript [00:00:00] Sandie: Welcome to the Ending Human Trafficking podcast here at Vanguard University's Global Center for Women and Justice right here in Orange County, California. This is episode number 340 Building a Network of Trusted Community Leaders with Rabbi Diana Gerson. My name is Dr. Sandie Morgan.
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    36 mins
  • 339:  The Role of Schools in Online Safety
    Feb 17 2025
    Jeremy Davis joins Dr. Sandie Morgan as the two discuss the role of schools in online safety and how educational leaders can foster digital resilience among students. Guest: Jeremy Davis Jeremy Davis is the Assistant Superintendent for Innovation and Instructional Support for the 12,000-student Fullerton School District in California. He also serves as the Vice President of the California Ed Tech Joint Powers Authority. Jeremy’s role includes overseeing technology, libraries, student data, cybersecurity, and IT networking across the district. His position on the cabinet allows him to lead cross-departmental efforts on online safety, integrating technology and educational support for a comprehensive approach to student well-being. Key Points Jeremy Davis emphasizes that online safety is not just a technology issue but a cross-departmental effort involving all school departments. The importance of resilience in youth is highlighted as a critical factor in preventing online exploitation. Resilience is built through confidence, which is developed by knowledge and critical thinking skills. Schools can integrate online safety education into existing curriculums, such as social-emotional learning (SEL) and digital citizenship programs, rather than adding additional burdens on teachers. Jeremy shares how his district modified SEL lessons to include digital wellness components, making the content more relevant to online safety. He discusses the role of parents in ensuring online safety at home, including using tools to control internet access and having open conversations with their children about digital behavior. The district utilizes focus groups and surveys with students to measure the effectiveness of digital wellness programs and adjust lessons based on feedback. Jeremy explains the concept of "trusted adults" on campus, encouraging students to reach out to staff members if they encounter online issues. He advocates for proactive parent education through in-person classes, online videos, and social media campaigns to help parents stay informed about digital risks and resources. The district has developed a comprehensive online safety page, offering guides, recommended software, and information for parents. Jeremy stresses the importance of accountability in digital safety education, ensuring that programs are effective and continuously improved based on measurable outcomes. Schools should collaborate with various stakeholders, including teachers, parents, and technology departments, to create a unified approach to online safety. The key takeaway is that building resilience in students helps them confidently navigate the digital world and stand up to unhealthy online relationships and pressures. Resources School Library Standards - School Libraries (CA Dept of Education) Jeremy Davis on LinkedIn Transcript Sandie Morgan: [00:00:00] Welcome to the Ending Human Trafficking podcast here at Vanguard University's Global Center for Women and Justice in Orange County, California. This is episode number 339, The Role of Schools in Online Safety with Jeremy Davis. My name is Dr. Sandy Morgan, and this is a show where we empower you to study the issues. Be a voice and make a difference in ending human trafficking. Jeremy Davis is the assistant superintendent for innovation and instructional support for the 12, 000 student Fullerton school district in California. And the vice president of the California ed tech joint powers authority. I am so glad to welcome you, Jeremy. I love your job description, innovation, and instructional support. [00:01:00] Tell me what that means? What's in your job description? Jeremy Davis: You know what? I'm very blessed to work in Fullerton. and the, where the TKA is part of Fullerton. we're one of the few districts in Orange County to actually have my role at the assistant superintendent level. So, I do run the technology department,
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    33 mins
  • 338: Survivor Alia Azariah – From Online Victim to Advocate for Youth and Aftercare
    Feb 3 2025
    Alia Azariah joins Dr. Sandie Morgan to discuss her journey from being an online victim of trafficking to becoming an advocate for youth and aftercare. Alia Azariah Alia Azariah is a passionate advocate and survivor dedicated to ending human trafficking and empowering those affected by this grave violation of human rights. Her focus lies in creating safe and sustainable communities through education and advocacy, service provision, and social justice. With a combination of professional knowledge, personal experience, and compassion, she works diligently at both local and national levels to create lasting change in the lives of trafficking survivors through specialized training and safe housing initiatives. Key Points Alia shares her personal experience of being groomed and trafficked through social media, emphasizing how vulnerabilities prior to being online contributed to her exploitation. She describes how traffickers use psychological tactics, such as fulfilling unmet emotional needs, to build trust and manipulate victims. The lack of awareness about the dangers of social media during the early days of platforms like MySpace contributed to the ease of exploitation. Alia explains how Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs helps in understanding vulnerability beyond just economic hardship, showing how traffickers exploit various unmet needs. Traffickers deliberately create or exploit a sense of dependence, offering victims what seems like support or love to gain control. She discusses the importance of community and long-term support in a survivor’s healing journey, highlighting that recovery requires more than just therapy or shelter. Alia emphasizes the need for survivor inclusion in leadership roles, pushing for organizations to provide survivors with professional development opportunities rather than limiting them to direct care roles. She challenges organizations to evaluate their approach to survivor leadership, advocating for hiring based on character and potential rather than just experience. The conversation highlights the gaps in services for minors exiting trafficking, emphasizing the critical need for effective emergency stabilization solutions in the first six months post-exploitation. Alia advocates for policy changes at local, state, and national levels to improve services for trafficking survivors, particularly minors. As a mother, she applies her knowledge by implementing strict social media guidelines for her children and having ongoing discussions about online safety. She will be participating in the Insure Justice conference, where discussions on improving survivor resources and policy will continue. Resources Alia Azariah on LinkedIn Safe House Project Transcript [00:00:00] Sandie: Welcome to the ending human trafficking podcast here at Vanguard University's Global Center for Women and Justice in Orange County, California. This is episode number 338 survivor alia Azariah, from online victim to serving youth and aftercare. My name is Dr. Sandy Morgan, and this is the show where we empower you to study the issues, be a voice and make a difference in ending human trafficking. [00:00:35] Alia. Azariah is a passionate advocate and survivor dedicated to ending human trafficking and empowering those affected by this grave violation of human rights. [00:00:49] Her focus lies in creating safe and sustainable communities through education and Advocacy, service provision, and social justice with a combination of professional knowledge, personal experience, and compassion. She works diligently at both local and national levels to create lasting change in the lives of trafficking survivors through specialized training and safe housing initiatives. [00:01:22] Alia, it is such a delight to have you on the Ending Human Trafficking podcast. And as I was reading your bio, it sounded like you've been part of Global Center for Women and Justice for years.
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    35 mins

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Educating myself on human trafficking...

This podcast began in 2011 and is still going strong! I am listening to the episodes chronologically. If you want to know more, listen to one a day or one a week.

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